Hunters reported harvesting 2,702 bears during the 2024–25 bear hunting seasons in Virginia (Figure 1). The 2024–25 bear harvest was approximately 6.5% lower than the previous year’s harvest, and 10.6% lower than the previous 5-year average during 2019–2023. Female bears composed a lower proportion of the 2024-25 season harvest (38.4%) than the previous year (40.9%). When compared to 2023, the archery harvest was down slightly (1.1%), while the muzzleloader and general firearms harvests declined by 10.4% and 6.7% respectively. Conversely, the youth/apprentice weekend harvest increased by 19.6% as compared to 2023 (Table 1). Harvest during the 3-day early season, which was closed in 26 northwestern counties in 2023, decreased by 31.6% from the previous season in the 16 southwestern counties where it remained open. Reduced access to lands used for bear hunting in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene likely contributed to the lower bear harvest during the 3-say season.
The decrease in bear harvest during 2024 is likely the result of multiple factors. A decrease in harvest was expected following a significant increase in harvest the previous season. Although the magnitude varied regionally, the decrease in bear harvest was observed across all regions of the state, suggesting the influence of a common factor such as variable food abundance or weather. Warm temperatures and dry conditions during the early bear seasons were followed by cold and snow during the later seasons (firearms) which could have led more bears to enter dens earlier, becoming unavailable to hunters. As noted previously, the effects of Hurricane Helene almost certainly impacted harvest during the early 3-day season. While the extent of sarcoptic mange impacts on bear populations are still unknown, this is certainly another factor in decreased harvests, particularly in the northern Shenandoah Valley.
Use of the GoOutdoors mobile application continues to gain popularity with the majority (68.1%) of hunters reporting their bear harvest through this method. Telephone reporting made up 21.6% of the harvest while 10.3% of bear hunters reported their harvest using the internet.
Across all seasons in which hounds could be used an estimated 66.8% of bears were taken by hunters using hounds during 2024-25. Preliminary season estimates for the proportion of bears harvested by hunters using hounds were as follows: 3-day early firearms season (40.6%), firearms season (68.1%), and youth/apprentice weekend (74.6%).
Virginia continues to provide diverse opportunities for a successful bear hunt. For additional details on black bear management in Virginia please visit our bear web page. Data presented in this summary are only include bears killed during the regulated bear hunting seasons.
Summary of 2024–2025 Black Bear Harvest by Season in Virginia
| Season | Harvest (#) | % Total Harvest | % Females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Early Firearms | 106 | 3.9% | 43.4% |
| Youth/Apprentice | 134 | 5.0% | 48.5% |
| Archery | 720 | 26.6 | 37.6% |
| Muzzleloader | 354 | 13.1% | 42.1% |
| Firearms | 1372 | 50.8% | 36.6% |
| Unknown (not assigned) | 16 | 0.6% | 31.3% |
| Total | 2702 | 100% | 38.4% |
View Black Bear Harvest Data by County
Virginia Statewide Black Bear Harvest: 1928–2024
